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Mayor Rob Ford didn’t stop for open streetcar door, TTC union says

A confrontation between Rob Ford and a TTC driver occurred Wednesday because the mayor drove his vehicle past the open doors of a streetcar, the head of the transit workers’ union said Friday.

Mayor Rob Ford, pictured in 2011, was confronted by a TTC operator Wednesday after driving past the open doors of a streetcar, the transit workers' union said Friday. (TANNIS TOOHEY / TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO)

By Alyshah HashamStaff Reporter

Fri., June 29, 2012

A confrontation between Rob Ford and a TTC driver occurred Wednesday because the mayor drove his vehicle past the open doors of a streetcar, the head of the transit workers’ union said Friday.

“My understanding is that Mayor Ford bypassed an open door and the operator then got off the streetcar – left his seat anyways – to advise the motorist, not knowing it was Mayor Ford, of the seriousness of the violation, as well was the concern for our passengers,” Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 president Bob Kinnear told the Star.

Failing to stop behind the open doors of a streetcar is a violation of the Highway Traffic Act, with fines of $109.

Ford’s office said Friday morning that they would not comment on the matter.

The incident happened near Dundas St. W. and McCaul St., according to Kinnear, who said Ford drove past the rear doors but stopped before the streetcar’s front doors as passengers were boarding.

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The mayor rolled down his window and “had some comments for the operator,” said Kinnear.

The streetcar driver was “interviewed” by the TTC following standard procedure after Ford lodged a complaint, he said.

Kinnear said he didn’t know the exact nature of the mayor’s complaint.

TTC spokesman Brad Ross has confirmed that the operator left his seat on the streetcar he was driving to speak to the mayor, something the driver agreed he shouldn’t have done.

“The operators are not permitted to leave their seats to have a discussion of any kind with any motorist,” he said.

Ross wouldn’t say what the TTC driver might have said or done after he got out of his seat.

TTC chief executive officer Andy Byford confirmed there was a complaint about an incident involving the 505 Dundas streetcar.

“The mayor actually phoned my office. I did speak to the mayor. The actual incident related to the operation of one of our streetcars. In the same way as normally we wouldn’t comment on specifics around a customer complaint, I’m not going to on this occasion,” he said.

“We followed the normal process of investigation that we would regardless of who the complainant was… I’m satisfied that the matter has been looked into.”

Kinnear said that Toronto motorists are usually well aware of the traffic rules around streetcars, but many summertime tourists in the city often don’t.

“We’re not opposed to our members advising the public of the rules in the interest of safety for our passengers,” he told reporters Friday morning.

“The TTC does not encourage our members to get into verbal discussions with motorists. But I think you can understand from the operator’s perspective, when we see this continuously throughout the day, it becomes frustrating. It becomes very concerning for our passengers and the safety of our passengers.”

The driver is back at work and no disciplinary action has been taken, said Kinnear.

Ross told the Star the operator didn’t miss any time at work as a result of the incident and the matter is now considered closed.

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